Effects of zingiber officinale extract supplementation on metabolic and genotoxic parameters in diet-induced obesity in mice

Background: Obesity is an epidemic associated with many diseases. The nutraceutical Zingiber officinale (ZO) is a potential treatment for obesity; however, the molecular effects are unknown. Methods: Swiss male mice were fed a high-fat diet (59% kcaL from fat) for 16 weeks to generate a diet-induced obesity (DIO) model, then divided into the following groups: standard diet + vehicle; standard diet+ZO; DIO+vehicle; and DIO+ZO. Those in the ZO groups were supplemented with 400 mg/kg∙day of ZO extract (gavage) for 35 days. The animals were euthanized, and blood, quadriceps, epididymal fat pad, and hepatic tissue were collected. Results: DIO induced insulin resistance, proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in different tissues. Treatment with ZO improved insulin sensitivity as well as decreased serum triglycerides, without changes in body weight or adiposity index. TNF-alpha and IL-1β levels were lower in the liver and quadriceps in the DIO + ZO group compared to the DIO group. ZO treatment reduced the reactive species and oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA in blood and liver in obese animals. The endogenous antioxidant activity was higher in the quadriceps of DIO+ZO. Conclusion: These results in the rat model of DIO may indicate ZO as an adjuvant on obesity treatment.